6. Facilities for children »»»» 6. Facilities for children 1 visit facility for children requiring immediate assistance The Defender consistently draws attention to three systemic problems in the provision of care for vulnerable children and their families: the number of children living in institutions is too high; children under 3 years of age are placed in institutions; and the responsibility for the provision of services is fragmented. Additionally, there is a lack of social housing and supporting social services for families. Preparation of visits to be conducted in 2019 Simultaneously with analysing results of systematic visits to facilities for children requiring immediate assistance conducted in 2017, we have started preparing a new series of visits to facilities for children placed by a court in an institutional or protective education. Selected lawyers have undergone training and internships in facilities with best practices and we are preparing a detailed inquiry programme. and a formalistic approach on the part of the adults. Body searches performed on children introduce prison-like elements and lack a legal justification. Our visits will focus on those elements of institutionalisation which affect the child’s dignity. For instance, a child has a right to be evaluated and rewarded, but the “point systems” in common usage divert evaluation from a desirable relationship-based upbringing and lead to faked compliance on the part of the children Facilities for children requiring immediate assistance Summary report 19